Shloka 23
स विपन्नरथो भीमो नकुलस्याप्लुतो रथम् | हरिर्यथा गिरे: शूड़ं समाक्रामदरिंदम:,इस तरह रथ नष्ट हो जानेसे शत्रुदमन भीमसेन जैसे सिंह पर्वतके शिखरपर चढ़ जाता है, उसी प्रकार उछलकर नकुलके रथपर जा बैठे
sa vipannaratho bhīmo nakulasyāpluto ratham | harir yathā gireḥ śṛṅgaṃ samākrāmad arindamaḥ ||
Sañjaya said: When his own chariot had been destroyed, Bhīma—subduer of foes—leapt up and mounted Nakula’s chariot, just as a lion springs onto a mountain peak.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights steadfastness in dharma under adversity: a warrior does not collapse when external supports (like a chariot) are lost, but adapts quickly and continues the righteous duty of protecting allies and confronting injustice with courage.
Bhīma’s chariot has been destroyed in battle. Without hesitation he leaps onto Nakula’s chariot to remain mobile and effective in combat, compared to a lion springing onto a mountain summit—an image of power, agility, and dominance.